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Hi. I Had An Abdominal Cat Scan Done In My
Question: Hi. I had an abdominal cat scan done in my ED Thursday. They told me it was fine. I got my report thru my patient portal and I'm very upset I have pancreatic cancer.
This is what the report said.
ABDOMEN: Hepatic steatosis is present. A small splenule appears to be present. A left
adrenal nodule is present which is most consistent with an adrenal adenoma based on
Hounsfield units. There is no evidence of renal or ureteric stones. There is no evidence
of hydronephrosis. No definite renal masses are apparent. The appendix is normal in
caliber and is without evidence of stranding. There is no evidence of free air, free
fluid, or bowel obstruction. Small lymph nodes are present adjacent to the pancreatic
head. The etiology of these is uncertain. No definite stranding to suggest pancreatitis is
apparent. No definite pancreatic masses are apparent although evaluation is limited by the
lack of intravenous contrast material.
IMPRESSION: 1. No definite explanation for the patient's abdominal pain based on the
current exam. 2. Hepatic steatosis. 3. Left adrenal adenoma. 4. No evidence of renal,
ureteric, or bladder stones. 5. Small lymph nodes adjacent to the pancreatic head, without
definite evidence of pancreatitis or mass. Correlation with pancreatic enzymes may be
useful.
This is what the report said.
ABDOMEN: Hepatic steatosis is present. A small splenule appears to be present. A left
adrenal nodule is present which is most consistent with an adrenal adenoma based on
Hounsfield units. There is no evidence of renal or ureteric stones. There is no evidence
of hydronephrosis. No definite renal masses are apparent. The appendix is normal in
caliber and is without evidence of stranding. There is no evidence of free air, free
fluid, or bowel obstruction. Small lymph nodes are present adjacent to the pancreatic
head. The etiology of these is uncertain. No definite stranding to suggest pancreatitis is
apparent. No definite pancreatic masses are apparent although evaluation is limited by the
lack of intravenous contrast material.
IMPRESSION: 1. No definite explanation for the patient's abdominal pain based on the
current exam. 2. Hepatic steatosis. 3. Left adrenal adenoma. 4. No evidence of renal,
ureteric, or bladder stones. 5. Small lymph nodes adjacent to the pancreatic head, without
definite evidence of pancreatitis or mass. Correlation with pancreatic enzymes may be
useful.
Brief Answer:
If there is a tumor, it would essentially be picked up by a CAT Scan
Detailed Answer:
+Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone carefully through your query and have checked the attached report. The first thing that I would need to ask is how exactly did you learn that you have pancreatic cancer? If you are presuming that you have pancreatic cancer, you can rest assured that you do not have such a thing. Let me remark that unless you have a tumorous growth the CAT Scan could still show a normal finding. On the other hand, if you indeed had a cancer, it would lead to a tumorous growth and it will essentially get picked up in a CAT Scan.
You do have a left adrenal adenoma which is rather a tumorous growth. However, this tumorous growth is a non-cancerous one. The finding of hepatic steatosis needs to be correlated. However, unless you have diabetes or are alcoholic, you have no reason to worry.
Regards
If there is a tumor, it would essentially be picked up by a CAT Scan
Detailed Answer:
+Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone carefully through your query and have checked the attached report. The first thing that I would need to ask is how exactly did you learn that you have pancreatic cancer? If you are presuming that you have pancreatic cancer, you can rest assured that you do not have such a thing. Let me remark that unless you have a tumorous growth the CAT Scan could still show a normal finding. On the other hand, if you indeed had a cancer, it would lead to a tumorous growth and it will essentially get picked up in a CAT Scan.
You do have a left adrenal adenoma which is rather a tumorous growth. However, this tumorous growth is a non-cancerous one. The finding of hepatic steatosis needs to be correlated. However, unless you have diabetes or are alcoholic, you have no reason to worry.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Get a contrast study done
Detailed Answer:
Abdominal or mesenteric lymph nodes can be enlarged or prominent due to a number of reasons and cancer is just one of the several causes. Often lymph nodes are normally observable when there is nothing abnormal at all. You need not become apprehensive just because the lymph nodes are seen. However, to clear the doubts it would be a good idea to get a contrast study done.
Regards
Get a contrast study done
Detailed Answer:
Abdominal or mesenteric lymph nodes can be enlarged or prominent due to a number of reasons and cancer is just one of the several causes. Often lymph nodes are normally observable when there is nothing abnormal at all. You need not become apprehensive just because the lymph nodes are seen. However, to clear the doubts it would be a good idea to get a contrast study done.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I'm very allergic to contrast XXXXXXX so I can't get one with it.
Brief Answer:
The differential diagnoses should be considered
Detailed Answer:
Please discuss the options with the treating physician who ordered the tests. He would be able to suggest what is likely. Since there is no pancreatitis involved, the pathology is unlikely to involve the pancreas. The other contributing probabilities need to be considered first. Further investigations need to be ordered only as per those.
Regards
The differential diagnoses should be considered
Detailed Answer:
Please discuss the options with the treating physician who ordered the tests. He would be able to suggest what is likely. Since there is no pancreatitis involved, the pathology is unlikely to involve the pancreas. The other contributing probabilities need to be considered first. Further investigations need to be ordered only as per those.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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